The Voice of Podiatrists

October 23, 2006 #2,721 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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MN Podiatrist Appointed to ABPS Exam Committee

Dr. Russell Sticha, foot and ankle surgeon for Alexandria Orthopaedic Associates, was recently appointed to the 2007 Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Examinations Committee for the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS).

This committee designs oral and computer-based patient simulation questions for the final part of the board certification process. The committee is made up of 10 foot and ankle surgeons from across the country who are considered to be leading experts within the profession. Members to this committee possess advanced training in all aspects of foot and ankle surgery and provide expertise in many facets of their profession.

Source: Echo Press (MN) 10/22/06

PA Podiatrist is Onstage Day and Night

Dr. Ronald Miller, a Wyomissing (PA) podiatrist, acts in local theater, first coming to public attention for his role as Nicky Arnstein in the then Reading Civic Opera production of “Funny Girl.” He has performed in more than 40 shows and has directed 12 at Genesius, Reading Community Players, and the Jewish Community Center of Reading. For him, being a doctor means, “being onstage all day.”

Dr. Ronald Miller

“With every patient it's a new performance,” he said. “I see 50 to 60 patients a day. They're looking to me. There's a strong connection in that respect. I have to be fresh. And there's a creative aspect to diagnosis. One assimilates a lot of information, a lot of medical knowledge, and that needs to be evaluated, digested if you will, during the diagnosis and treatment process.

“People can have presenting symptoms that can be confusing. That's where the art comes in. In so many ways medicine is subjective. Creative thinking is part of the job. There's a crossover there.”

Source: George Hatza, Reading Eagle, [10/22/06]

2006 NYCPM Geriatric Foot & Ankle Symposium Wows 300

Over 300 DPM’s were treated to another first-class meeting held by the Consortium of Geriatric Centers in cooperation with the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. This multi-disciplinary weekend conference featured lectures by podiatric notables Paul Kesselman, DPM, Bryan Markinson, DPM, Barry Block, DPM, JD and John Steinberg, DPM as well a number of prominent medical specialists.

Kudos to Robert Eckles, DPM, Dean of Graduate Education and his Scientific Co-Chairs, Anthony Iorio, DPM, MPH, Imelda Oliva, DPM and Mark Kosinski, DPM for a job well done.

Query: Surgery for Hallux Hammertoe

Can anyone suggest surgical treatments for hallux hammertoe besides fusion?

Bruce Kornfeld, DPM, Fort Washington, PA, footdoc215@aol.com

RE: Problem with Candida Skin Antigen (Sylvia Trotter, DPM)
From: Benjamin Marble, DPM

One of the attendings I work with uses Candida injections with similar results to what you had been getting. We do not normally do it on digits or at the base of the digit but we were getting such great results that we tried it once. The digit appeared cellulitic and after a course of Keflex (which failed) determined that this was likely an allergic reaction. Following the start of a prednisone, he taper the patient and noticed immediate pain relief, and the erythema and edema immediately resolved. After two weeks on the taper, the patient had a return (albeit minor) of the erythema, which an additional week of low dose prednisone took care of. Needless to say, give no more injections to digits. The entire "cellulitic foot" you describe and the reaction occurring in consecutive patients likely means there is something else occurring with this particular batch, but do not rule out an allergic reaction.

Benjamin Marble, DPM, PMS-36 resident, University of Utah, doctormarble@gmail.com

RE: MPJ Plantar Tear Repair
From: Pat Caputo, DPM

Distal lateral 2nd MPJ plantar plate tears are high risk for cross-over deformity even with conservative splintage. Experience has shown me that even if there is a little displacement, this toe becomes more and more unstable at the 2nd MPJ. If there is 1st MPJ instability, then really watch out. I have not found simple or isolated plantar plate repair sufficient to maintain stability. These cases usually need more work than you might think, like a flexor tendon transfer in addition to the plantar plate repair, usually with an arthroplasty and K-wire thru the MPJ or even an osteotomy of the 2nd metatarsal if it is somewhat long or the 1st MPJ hyper-mobile.

Pat Caputo, DPM, Holmdel, NJ, pat_caputo@alumni.rutgers.edu

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WANTED

MinXray P-200 Exposure Hand Switch with Timer Control (circa 1977). jim.fractal@gmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – FLORIDA

Miami-Dade and SW Ft. Lauderdale, well established surgical practice for sale. This one has everything. Surgery, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Trauma, ER, General Podiatry. Participates in all local and national managed care plans. $850,000 but will discount depending on amount up front. Mature, serious inquires with business experience preferred. email response to podfootdocs@aol.com

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY- CHICAGO / NORTHWEST INDIANA

Chicago-Home Physicians specializes in house calls to the elderly homebound. Full and part-time positions available in Chicago/Northwest IN. Competitive Compensation, including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-292-4800. Fax-773-486-3548. E-mail sschneider@homephysicians.com www.homephysicians.com

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established podiatry practice in Mt. Airy, North Carolina that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to come on board to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away in January 2006, leaving approximately 3,500 patients without a podiatrist to care for them. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in an extremely busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BRONX, NY

Podiatrist wanted two days a week(with full-time growth potential). One day working in a busy Bronx office, one day making house calls. Base salary + incentives. Golden opportunity for a podiatrist to join up with a very ethical, hard-working and successful DPM. Please email CV to: Scottdeis@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ARIZONA

Excellent opportunity for an experienced looking for a change or young podiatrist looking to jump start their practice. Podiatry practice is well established over 25 years, successful and a large volume in the Phoenix metro area. A current AZ License preferred as the position is available immediately. The right person will join as a salary associate leading to partial ownership in the group practice. Position available immediately. Email CV and inquiries to:scfcs@cox.net

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